Cutter chain



N. D. LEVIN CUTTER CHAIN Jan. 26, 1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 8, 1934 0'. VE/V TOR BY 00 Ma4 r 4 A7795 @Lmu Patented Jan. 26, 1937 PATENT OFFICE CU'I'IER CHAIN Nils D. Levin, Columbus, Ohio,v assignor to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Application June 8, 1934, Serial No. 729,713

21 Claims.

The present invention relates to cutter chains for mining machines.

Objects of the invention are, to provide a cutter chain having'the links so constructed that tendency of the links toward tilting or turning will be resisted; and, further to provide a means for connecting adjacent links of a cutter chain or other types of chains, which means may be readily placed in the chain to securely couple the links.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following specification and drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the cutter chain of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a bit carrying link;

Figure 3 is an end view of the link of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of a pintle used in the present invention;

Figure 5 is an end view of the pintle; Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure '7 is an elevation of a modified form of chain;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a bit carrying link used in the chain of Figure 7;,

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 99 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a locking pin used in the structure of Figure 7; and

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line Illl of Figure 7 and showing the positioning of the cutter chain in the cutter bar. Referring to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the cutter chain there illustrated comprises bit carrying links 8 and connecting links 8. The bit carrying links are of the bridgedtype, that is, each such link is substantially U-shaped in cross section and includes side bars or plates Ill joined at one end by a central bridging portion II from which projects a bit carrying lug I2 in which the bit I3 of the chain may be secured in any suitable manner. The connecting links 9 45 extend between adjacent bit carrying links 8, the connecting links 9 being fitted between the bars H) of the adjacent bit carrying links as shown in Figures 1 and 6.

One bar [0 of each bit carrying link 8 is 0 provided with a relatively large aperture l4 and the opposite bar is provided with a smaller aperture l5, both apertures being circular but the smaller aperture l5 preferably being eccentrically positioned with respect to aperture l4 although ;5 located entirely within the circular line or area which would be bounded by a projection of the larger aperture. Each connecting link 9 is provided with an aperture l6 at each end'thereof, the aperture l6 being of the same size as the large aperture [4 provided at each end of one bar of the bit carrying link 8. g

In order to join the links of the chain, the bit carrying links 8 and connecting links 9 are so positioned that the aperture. IS in the-connecting link will be aligned with the large aperture I4 in one end of the bit carrying link 8. A pintle l8 including a large body portion and an eccentrically positioned projection [9 at one end thereof, which projection is of less diameter than the body of the pintle, may then be seated in the aligned apertures of the links. The larger end of the pintle I8 is preferably provided with a slot or groove 20 to permit it to be engaged by a tool and rotated o that the projection I 8 at the opposite end of the pintle may be prgperly H aligned with the smaller aperture l5 of the bit carrying link. In connecting the links in the manner described above, they are so positioned that the larger or body portion of the pintle l8 will be uppermost, thereby preventing the pintle from dropping from the apertures. As shown in Figure 6, the chain will be used in a cutter bar generally indicated at Zlhaving the flanges thereof so arranged that they will be in close proximity to the bars ID of the bit carrying links, thereby preventing the pintles Hi from working upwardly in the chain to release their smaller and lower ends l5 from the lower bars l0. vThe pintles are of suflicient weight to remain properly seated while passing about the sprocket at one end of the cutter bar.

It will be noted that the pintles 18 are of large diameter and they will be of sufllcient strength to prevent their breakage. It will be obvious that pintles of the type described can be readily replaced, since no riveting or any similar operation is involved in their positioning and retention in the links.

The bit carrying links 8 are provided with substantial lugs or shoulders 24 at each end thereof, one at the end of each side bar l0 as shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 1, the shoulders 24 of adjacent bit carrying links are in close proximity. This construction is provided for the end thereof will come into contact with the opposed shoulders of the adjacent bit carrying links so that while the first link and the adjacent links may tend to rise slightly in the cutter bar in which the chain moves, none of them will tilt sharply with respect to the cutter bar. Obviously, the abutting action may be transmitted through a number of links in the chain, each successive link further resisting the tendency of the other links to tilt.

The bit carrying links 8 are also provided with flanges projecting from the upper or outer portion of each bar l8 and with gibs 26 projecting from the inner or free ends of the bars. As is shown in Figure 6, the flanges 25 will bear upon angled wearing strips 21 provided on the inner edges of the outer ends of the cutter bar slide plates or flanges; The gibs 26 will engage beneath the inner edges of the wearing strips to hold the chain against movement out of the cutter bar.

Due to the fact that the bit carrying links 8 are of the bridged type and enclose the connecting links 9, and also because the ends of the links are substantially in contact, the flanges 25 provided on these links may extend throughout the length of the chain. Wear of the strips 21, which bear the entire pressure exerted by the links, will thus be minimized because the long flanges 25 will distribute the pressure over a wide area upon the strips. Also, since a long bearing surface is given each bit carrying link, the possibilities of tilting of the links will be further reduced, and the wearing strips 21 will not be subjected to the wear which results from tilting.

The flanges 25 and the gibs 26 may be recessed on an arcuate line intermediate their length, as indicated at 28 and 38, respectively. This construction will permit the links to pass freely about the curved end of the cutter bar with one or both of said arcuate surfaces 29, 38 providing bearing surfaces between the bit carrying link and said curved outer end of the cutter bar.

Apertures 8| may be provided in the upper and lower walls of the bit carrying links 6 and slots or apertures 32 may also be formed in the bridging portion ll of these links, on each side of the bit carrying lug l2 and extending to the end of the link, between the shoulders 24, the purpose of these apertures being to permit fines and slack to drop from the links.

Referring to Figures '7 to 11, inclusive, the cutter chain there illustrated comprises bit carrying links 48 and connecting links 4|. The bit carrying links 48 are of the bridged type, being substantially U-shaped in transverse cross-section and including side plates or bars 42. The bars 42 are joined by a bridging portion 43 which includes an integral lug 44 in which a bit 45 may be secured.

Each connecting link 4| extends within the ends of adjacent bit carrying links 48 and is connected to the latter links by means of pintles 46. The bars 42 of the bit carrying links 48 are provided at each end with apertures 41 substantially of keyhole shape and extending in opposite directions, that is, including a large circular portion 48 having a slot or milled portion 48 extending therefrom toward the adjacent end of the bar as shown in Figure 8.

The connecting links. 4| are provided with circular apertures 58, one at each end thereof, these apertures being of the same diameter as the circular portion 48 of the keyhole shaped apertures 41 in the bit carryin links 42.

In order to enable a connecting link to be secured to an adjacent bit carrying link, the connecting link 4| is moved into the bit carrying link 48 to the position shown at the extreme left hand end of Figure 7, in which position its circular aperture 58 will be in alignment with the circular portion 48 of each of the aligned keyhole shaped slots 41 at that end of the bit carrying link 48. With the two links in this position, a pintle 46 including a central portion of the same diameter as the aperture 58 may be inserted in the aligned apertures. As shown in Figure 11, the central portion of the pintle 46 is of the same length as the thickness of the connecting link 4| and milled portions 5| extend from each end of the central portion. It will be obvious that by turning the milled portions 5| so that they will be in alignment with the milled portions 48 of the bars 42 as shown at the left hand end of Figure 7, movement of the connecting link 4| outwardly, or to the left in that figure, will so position the pintle in the links that it cannot drop therefrom.

In order to prevent adjacent bit carrying links from moving relatively to the connecting link which couples them, a cotter pin 52 may be positioned in an aperture 53 provided substantially midway of the length of the connecting link as shown in Figure 'l. The cotter pin 52 includes a head of sufilcient diameter to prevent the bit carrying links 48 from moving toward each other and therefore the pintles 46 cannot be displaced.

It will be clear from the above that the arrangement for coupling links disclosed in Figures 7 to 11 is extremely simple and that any broken pintles can very readily be replaced. Nevertheless, the coupling disclosed in these figures is highly eilicient and will hold the links securely engaged with each other.

Both arrangements for connecting or coupling links described herein are obviously applicable to various types of chains, their use not being confined to cutter chains.

Furthermore, it will be noted that each of the pintles which have been described will be held against rotation with respect to the bit carrying links. By this arrangement, the bit carrying links will not be subjected to wear which would otherwise occur, but all wear caused by strain relative to the pintles will be taken either by the pintle itself or by the connecting links and these parts can be replaced more economically than the bit carrying links.

The bit carrying links 48 are provided with flanges 25a and gibs 26a similar to those shown in Figures 1 to 6. The links 48 have apertures 55 in their bridging portions 43 as shown in Figure 9 so that slack or fines may drop from the links.

The inner surfaces 56 of the outer ends of the bridging portions of the bit carrying links 48 are adapted to bear upon the outer surfaces 51 of the connecting links 4| as shown in Figure 11. This construction holds the bit carrying links against tilting, since any tendency of a bit carrying link toward tilting will bring the inner surface 56 at one end of the link into contact with the connecting link.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction shown in the drawings and described in the specification and that the examples of the use of the invention which have been given do not include all of the uses of which they are capable; also, that the phraseology employed in the specification is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

I claim:

1. The combination in a chain, of links provided with apertures adapted to berespectively aligned by movement longitudinally of the chain to permit of the insertion of a pintle to couple the links, said links, when in normal coupled position, being arranged with the apertures out of alignment to retain the pintles in place, and means abutting the ends of links to hold the links against longitudinal movement from said normal position.

2. A cutter chain including bitcarrying links and interspersed connecting links, said connecting links having their ends positioned in said bit carrying links, each connecting link having an aperture adjacent one end thereof, said bit carrying links having aligned apertures of a size corresponding to the connecting link aperture and an extension therefrom of smaller size, pintles including a body portion of the same diameter as the apertures and end portions of a configuration corresponding to the extensions of the apertures, so that alignment of the apertures by movement of the links longitudinally of the chain will permit the insertion of the pintle, and movement of the links out of alignment will position the end portions of the pintle in said extensions to prevent the pintle from dropping from the links, and means abutting the ends of links to hold the links positioned with the apertures out of alignment.

3. A cutter chain including bit carrying links and interspersed connecting links, said bit carrying links including parallel side bars, and said connecting links having their ends positioned between said bars, a circular aperture in each connecting link, each bar of each bit carrying link having a keyhole shaped aperture includinga circular portion of the same diameter as the connecting link aperture, and a slot extending therefrom, a pintle having a body portion of the same size as the connecting link aperture and end portions corresponding in configuration to the slots of the bit carrying links to prevent the pintles from dropping from the links, and means abuttin the ends of links to hold the links positioned with the circular apertures therein out of alignment.

4. A stiff back cutter chain for a mining machine comprising interconnected bit carrying links and connecting links, the bit carrying links comprising spaced parallel side bars interconnected by a bit carrying lug extending across the tops thereof, the connecting links extending between said side bars, pins for connecting said links, each connecting link having upper bearing surfaces, spaced bearing means extending inwardly from said side bars at the tops thereof and at each end thereof, said bearing means having bearing surfaces on their bottom faces cooperating with the bearing surfaces of said connecting link to provide a stiff back chainfoutwardly extending flanges adjacent the tops of each side bar adapted to ride on a cutter bar, and outwardly extending gibs adjacent the bottoms of each side bar.

5. A stifl' back cutter chain for a mining machine comprising interconnected bit carrying links and connecting links, the bit carrying links comprising spaced parallel side bars interconnected by a bit carrying lug extending across the tops thereof, the connecting links extending between said side bars, pins for connecting said links, each connecting link having upper bearing surfaces, a pair of opposed inwardly extending spaced apart shoulders at each end and top of each of said bit carrying links, said shoulders cooperating with the bearing surfaces of said connecting link to provide a stiff back chain, outwardly extending flanges adjacent the tops of each side bar adapted to ride on a cutter bar, and outwardly extending gibs adjacent the bottoms of each side bar. Y

6. A stiff back cutter chain for a mining machine comprising interconnected bit carrying links and connecting links, the bit carrying links comprising spaced parallel side bars interconnected by a bit carrying lug extending across the tops thereof, the connecting links extending between said side bar's, pins for connecting said links. each connecting link having upper bearing surfaces, a pair of opposed inwardly extending spaced apart shoulders at each end and. top of each of said bit carrying links, said shoulders cooperating with the bearing surfaces of said connecting link to provide a stiff back chain.

'7. A bit carrying link for a mining machine chain comprising spaced parallel side bars interconnected by a bit carrying lug extending across the tops thereof, outwardly extending flanges adterconnected by a bit carrying lug extending across the tops thereof, and spaced bearing means having bottom bearing surfaces and extending inwardly from said side bars at the tops thereof and at each end thereof.

9. A bit carrying link for a mining machine chain comprising spaced parallel side bars interconnected by' a bit carrying lug extending across the tops thereof, and a pair of opposed inwardly extending spaced apart shoulders at each end and top of said link, one shoulder at each end being connected to each bar, the spacing of said shoulders providing an opening therebetween across the top of said link 10. A stiff back cutter chain for a mining machine comprising interconnected bit carrying links and connecting links, the bit carrying links comprising spaced parallel side bars interconnected by a bit carrying lug extending across the tops thereof, the connecting links extending between said side bars, pins for connecting-said links, each connecting link having upper bearing surfaces, each bit carrying link having bearing means at each end and at the top thereof, said means being spaced from said lug to provide openings in the top of said bit carrying link, and cooperating with connecting link bearing surfaces to provide a stiff back chain.

11. A stiff back cutter chain for a mining ma-,, chine comprising interconnected bit carrying links and connecting links, the bit carrying links comprising spaced parallel side bars interconnected by a bit carrying lug extending across the tops thereof, thecOnnecting links extending between said side bars, pins for connecting said Y links, each connecting link having upper hearing surfaces, each bit carrying link having bearing means at each end and at the top thereof, said means being spaced from said lug to provide openings in the top of said bit carrying link and means each comprising inwardly projecting shoulders the ends of which are spaced apart.

12. A bit carrying link for a mining machine chain comprising spaced parallel side bars interconnected by a bit carrying lug extending across the tops thereof, bearing means at each end and at the top thereof extending inwardly of said side bars, said means comprising shoulders the ends of which are spaced apart and are spaced from said bit carrying lug to provide openings in the top of said link.

13. As an article of manufacture, a bit carrying link for a cutter chain, comprising a body having a pivot point at each end and having outwardly extending flanges adapted to slide along a cutter bar, an arcuate portion on the bottoms of said flanges intermediate the pivot points, gibs on the bottom of said link, and arc uate bearing surfaces on the bottoms of said gibs intermediate said pivot points.

14. As an article of manufacture, a bit carrying link for a mining machine cutter chain, comprising outwardly extending flanges adjacent the top of said link adapted to slide along the straight sides of a cutter bar, said flanges on their lower sides having arcuate cut-away portions to enable said flanges to move around the curved outer end of the cutter bar without contacting with the same.

15. As an article of manufacture, a bit carrying link for a mining machine cutter chain, comprising a body having outwardly extending flanges adjacent the top of said link body, each of said flanges having a pair of spaced apart parallel surfaces adapted to slide along a cutter bar and having arcuate cut-away portions on their low (r sides intermediate said spaced surfaces, and outwardly extending gibs on the bottom of said link body, said gibs having lower arcuate bearing surfaces.

16. As an article of manufacture, a bit carrying link for a mining machine cutter chain, comprising a body having outwardly extending flanges adjacent the top of said link body, each of said flanges having a pair of spaced apart parallel surfaces adapted to slide along a cutter bar and raving arcuate cut-away portions on their lower s.des intermediate said spaced surfaces.

1'7. As an article of manufacture, a bit carrying link for a mining machine cutter chain, comprising a body having outwardly extending flanges adjacent the top of said link body, each of said flanges having a pair of spaced apart parallel surfaces adapted to slide along a cutter bar, and outwardly extending gibs on the bottom of said link body, said gibs having lower arcuate bearing surfaces.

18. As an article of manufacture, a bit carryrying link for a mining machine cutter chain, comprising a body having outwardly extending flanges adjacent the top of said link body, each of said flanges having a pair of spaced apart parallel surfaces adapted to slide along a cutter bar.

19. The combination in a chain, of links provided with apertures adapted to be respectively aligned by movement longitudinally of the chain to permit of the insertion of a pintle to couple the links, said links, when in normal coupled position, being arranged with the apertures out of alignment to retain the pintles in place, and means carried by one link and abutting the end of the adjacent link to hold the links against longitudinal movement from said normal position.

20. A cutting chain for a mining machine comprising interconnected bit carrying links and connecting links, both types of links having :pintle receiving apertures adjacent their ends, pintles extending through said apertures and pivotally connecting said links, cooperating means on the bit carrying links and connecting links adapted to restrict the pivotal movement thereof in one direction, said means having bearing surfaces lying in a plane parallel to a plane passing through the axes of said pintles, means providing spaced apart cutter bar bearing surfaces on said bit carrying links adjacent their tops and at each end thereof, and a bit carrying post on each bit carrying link adapted to carry a bit at a position longitudinally between the last mentioned bearing surfaces.

21. A cutter chain for a mining machine comprising interconnected bit carrying links and connecting links, both types of links having pintle receiving apertures adjacent their ends, pintles extending through said apertures and pivotally connecting said links, cooperating means on the bit carrying links and connecting links adapted to restrict the pivotal movement thereof in one direction, means providing spaced apart cutter bar bearing surfaces on said bit carrying links adjacent their tops and at each end thereof, and a bit carrying post on each bit carrying link adapted to carry a bit at a position longitudinally between the last mentioned bearing surfaces.

NILS D. LEVIN. 

